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Leute! Leute!

Get to know people who learn German or work at the Goethe-Institute Jakarta. What are they doing in their free time? Why did they learn German or how they have learned German? And the most important question: What do they like about Goethe-Institut?

I’m the director of the „Open Science Lab“ at the TIB (Technische Informationsbibliothek), of a large library in Hannover. I’m fascinated by the changes that science and libraries are undergoing with the possibilities that the Internet provides. I’m fortunate to be working in a position in which I can follow and even influence these changes as they happen.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love to read and travel, and I enjoy food. If I get the chance, I like to spend my holidays at the Wattenmeer, which is part of the North Sea. I really like to go abroad, to get to know the people and their food. And if the place I’m visiting has Internet, I post the pictures of all those activities on Twitter.

What was the occassion of your trip to Indonesia?

Having received an invitation by the Goethe-Institut and Gadjah Mada University I visited a 2-day “Mapping Science” conference, to give talks on the topic of Open Science as well as about my library in Germany. I was impressed how modern the libraries and library education in Indonesia is. We discussed about very advanced topics.

How do you like Indonesia?

Prior to my trip I knew very little about this country. I’m fascinated by the beautiful landscape, the pulsating and youthful vibe of Yogyakarta and Jakarta, the terrific local food, and above all, how hospitable and interesting people are. I hope to come again soon!

I’m a professor in the field of Information Marketing at the Technical University of Cologne (TH Köln) with a focus on Customer Management, Quality- and Innovation Management. In our Information Science Institute we train librarians, information scientists, online-editors and market- and media researchers pursuing bachelor’s and masters degrees. I love my job, because we are constantly faced with challenges.

What do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy running – reaching the marathon distance. It’s a great way to clear one’s mind and ignite one’s creativity. I actually get my best ideas while I’m running. I also like traveling and have a taste of the local cuisine: Spicy dishes are on the top of my list.

What is the occasion of your trip to Indonesia?

This was my third time coming to Indonesia. All three visits were by invitation from the Goethe-Institut. This time I came to attend a conference on “Science Mapping” at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. I introduced the topic of science mapping, talked about Germany university degrees to become librarians, and took part in a discussion about possible future cooperation between Indonesian and German universities. It’s my hope that we can have an exchange of students and lecturers.

How do you like Indonesia?

What fascinates me about Indonesia are the so many young people want to learn and expand their knowledge – and everyone is friendly. Because I love spicy food, Indonesian cuisine suits me and I always bring Indonesian spices back with me to Germany. Indonesia’s cultural and natural diversity impresses me, although time is always very limited when you’re on work-related travel. I guess it’s about time I come to Indonesia for vacation.

I play drums and work in the entertainment industry. I’ve been playing drums since I was 6 years old, and by the time I was 10 I was already active in the world of entertainment. I played drums in the competition “Indonesia’s Got Talent” (“Indonesia Mencari Bakat”) in 2010 and won seventh place. After that I got my own TV shows, like Sahabat JP on TransTV, and took roles in several television serials.

What do you do in your spare time?

I have a list of activities for every day. I plan everything like that. Morning is the time for family. After that I practice martial arts (Bandit Muay Thai), followed by three hours of exercise. I don’t go to school, just study at home. Of course, I also play drums for two hours a day, and sometimes I play basketball, and also football as goalkeeper. I collect drumsticks from various Hard Rock Cafes around the world. But I also like “girls things”, like my collection of Barbie dolls.

Why do you study German?

My dream is to one day work together with Martin Grubinger, a famous percussionist from Austria. That’s why I decided to take German lessons, and the Goethe-Institut was the right place for that. My aunt also used to study German here.

What do you like about the Goethe-Institut Jakarta?

The Goethe-Institut will help me fulfill the dream I mentioned earlier. I like the library here, and often drop by before my class starts. GoetheHaus and the hammocks are also cool places to relax. And I haven’t even mentioned the staff and teachers, who are all really friendly.

I’m a German language teacher. I have been teaching in Mataram, Lombok, since 2000, when I graduated from the Yogyakarta State University (UNY). From the beginning, my teaching load was quite heavy: 34 hours of lessons per week in two senior high schools. But I’m still lucky to be teaching German. Many of my friends are not as lucky as me.

What do you do in your spare time?

Spare time ... I don’t have spare time! Just imagine: I’m a mother of three children, my husband and I both work, we don’t have any house help, and the kids are still very young. But on the weekends I do like to surf the net. Sometimes I practise German online, or download material for lessons. That’s always fun.

Where did you learn German?

I’ve been interested in German since I was still in senior high school. In the National Exams, I got the highest score for German language. That’s why I decided to study German further in Yogyakarta. After that, I got the opportunity from the Goethe-Institut and PPPPTK Bahasa to develop my German language skills and continue my education. In 2012, I won a scholarship and flew to Germany. It was a really valuable experience for me in my life.

What do you like about the Goethe-Institut?

The Goethe-Institut has a network of German teachers across Indonesia. I’m very proud to be part of this program.

I want to express my personal thanks to the Goethe-Institut for all the support, and for giving me the opportunity to fly to Germany for a second time. I never imagined that the Goethe-Institut would give its appreciation to high-performing teachers. This is very motivating, and can help teachers continue to devleop their competencies into the future.

Since a year, I am General Secretary of the Goethe-Institut. General Secretary is the same as Managing Director or CEO of the Goethe-Institut. By that it means, He leads Goethe-Institut worldwide together with Commercial Director.

When you are not on your duty, what do yo do?

Family, three children, 7, 9 and 11 years of age. I have to do many things and travel a lot. I try to spend my time with my wife and my children. I like reading, doing sport, running, playing tennis and go skiing.

What do you like about Goethe-Institut Jakarta?

There are a lot of people that learn German here! The colleagues, which teach and work here, are so motivated. Therefore, the students are so motivated as well. There are a lot of exciting project of cultural sector, which cooperated with Indonesian artist.

I am a Lichtplaner and still work on my own company. I studied in Germany with two major of master degree. Firstly in Wismar and then Hamburg "Sustainable Architecture".

What do you do in your free time?

I sing and play flute. I also like go cycling with my family around our residence. I have a bycycle with child seat. I brought more DVDs of children film from Germany, which we often watch it together.

How have you learned good German?

From 1999 to 2002, I learnt German until intermediate level at Goethe-Institut Jakarta. Although my study is in english but I think German is really important. I can communicate with more people, for example with bus driver when I asked the route.

What do you like about Goethe-Institut Jakarta?

Here I can learn at library. I often borrow German popsong and video. Through the event, I can speak with german people and practice my german skills. Today, I often watch programme of Deutsche Welle. I think it would be good, if every once in a month met the german-speaking kids at Goethe-Institut, so that they would not lose their German.

I just have little time. However, when I have time, I really like go swimming, meeting friends, and visiting my sister

Where have you learned German?

Exactly at the Goethe-Institut Jakarta, where I begint to learn German

What do you like about Goethe-Institut Jakarta?

Here, I have a lot of opportunities: I lead a teacher's education and as a moderator of its event. I did Audio-Recording, examine text book and curriculum and so on. I travel in almost all province in Indonesia, meet students and teachers there. The Goethe-Institut works worldwide, that is why I also kept contact with other employer and teachers in all countries. That is what i like!

I am currently working as a teacher at a Chinese language school in West Jakarta. There I am responsible for the training and arrangement of the teachers.

What do you do in your spare time?

In my spare time I read plenty of books and magazines, the themes are mostly about teaching methods, economy, art and culture. On weekends I do Chinese calligraphy and of course I love to go shopping with my friends. And actually, German is also my hobby!

Where have you learned German?

I have been twice with my friend in Austria. Since I am interested in the German language. Firstly, I learned German on the Deutsche Welle website. Then I decided to take a German course. So far, I have completed 180 hours at the Goethe-Institute Jakarta.

What do you like about Goethe-Institute Jakarta?

The teachers support me in learning German. The class is really interesting and the friends in the class are very kind and friendly. We learn German together and often help each other.

I am working as a pianist and piano teacher. I started to learn piano when I was 8 years old as my mother wanted it. Firstly, I was not interested in playing the piano. It was fun to me when I was 14 and I began to listen to classical music. Musical talent comes from my mother. She is soprano and studied in the Philippines. Now she sings only in the Church.

What are you doing in your spare time?

In the leisure time I like reading and to bake bread or pizza. I learned baking when I studied in Australia. Since I baked my own bread every week because it tasted better. Now I bake just sometimes. Playing the piano is not my leisure activity. This is now as my job and my life.

Where have you learned German?

I learned German during my study in Brisbane at a language school. That was too little and since April I'm learning here at the Goethe-Institut Jakarta in level B2.

What do you like about Goethe-Institut Jakarta?

The Goethe-Institute Jakarta is great. I have learned A lot here and met many nice people.

The first impression was the traffic. At this mass transport, it would have to come to a single chaos, but everything flows and appears with a certain harmony and serenity. Maybe this is a symbol of the people from this country. Strikingly, people are very much respectful and tolerant with each other. They meet us with great kindness and joy. It feels very much welcome.

Could you probably tell us a beautiful experience with the Goethe-Institut?

It was an incredible experience to come in this distant country and see the great interest in German films. The employees of the Goethe Institute were successful through their dedicated work by giving attention to this Festival. So it is a pleasure to be part of the excitement of this movie and to connect with the audience in a cultural exchange.

What is the best thing in your work as an actress?

There is no short answer to this question. But one of the most beautiful thing is having the opportunity to travel on such a wonderful festival like this.